Business Water Rates & Connections
Are you unhappy with your Business water rates?
In England, businesses have been able to select the water supplier of their choice since the water market was deregulated in April 2017 in order to introduce competition for Business Water Customers. Businesses can now select their preferred water and waste-water supplier from a wide range of providers in England and Scotland. Scotland successfully deregulated in 2008.
By some estimates, nearly half of all businesses in England would like to switch water suppliers.
Switching could save you money whilst providing better customer service.
Switching business water suppliers. [Benefits of switching]
Changing business water suppliers could save you money and improve your service. With more water suppliers than ever it’s likely that you can obtain competitive water rates.
- Find better Business Water Rates
- Advice on water saving
- A dedicated account manager
- Potential for Automatic Meter Reading (AMR)
- Consolidated Water Bills - one bill for all water related services for any number of sites
- Online water and energy management platform
- Water Audit
- Water Efficiency Measures
- Leak Detection
- Water Smart Meters
- Improved customer service
- Electronic billing
It’s not all about price.
Whilst obtaining market-leading business water rates is vital, not all businesses water suppliers are the same. Customer service is a major complaint about the water industry. Selecting business water suppliers who can deliver competitive pricing as well as top-quality customer service will provide peace of mind.
Better Customer Service
Water users in England have voiced concern for years about customer service. A recent survey suggested that only 19% of businesses are happy with their current supplier and when informed of the pending deregulation, 74% of respondents said they would be likely to switch.
Billing
Billing issues are a common problem, with 37% of firms having experienced them, and half of them being overcharged. Around 41% said they were satisfied with the way the issue was resolved however more than 30% of businesses don’t trust their current supplier to put customers first.
What information do we need to quote your business water supply?
The following information will help us provide you with the best rates:
Essential
- Organisation name
- Organisation address
- SPID (Supply Point Identification Number) (should be available on your bill)
Nice to have
- Copies of water bills
- Annual consumption
- Annual spend
- Unique property reference number
- Your business’s water usage profile
Find the Best Business Water Rates - Get a Quote
Multi-Site Water
Organisations with multiple sites
Unlike the gas and electric markets, water has mostly operated as regional monopolies. Consequently, businesses with multiple sites have found themselves with several water suppliers. This has led to non-standardised billing, limited tariff options and additional admin for businesses.
Less accounts, less admin, more savings!!
Since deregulation, many businesses benefited from the competitive water market, but those with multiple sites across England, or perhaps across both England and Scotland, have been one of the biggest beneficiaries. The ability to consolidate their water accounts saves time and effort.
Whilst your business’ water supply will still originate from the same source, deregulation allows just one water company to administer all your accounts as one. This means you can reduce the burden of managing your water accounts to one point of contact and one bill, however many sites your business runs.
Electronic Billing
A group contract also allows you to benefit from consolidated billing and EDI (Electronic Billing) across all your sites instead of site by site. Our water and energy management software allows you gather all data for gas, electricity and water into one readily accessible location. It’s also more likely that a group contract would leverage improved pricing.
Questions About Business Water
Water costs can represent a significant overhead in business premises. Touchstone can help you understand your costs, where they are coming from and how to reduce them.
Water Supply Costs
Why are my water bills so high?
You’ll have to pay for any water your business uses, and for the drainage of water and effluent (liquid waste) from your premises. Ofwat regulates the water industry in England and Wales. There are different regulators in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
How you’ll be charged
Businesses are usually charged for water and sewerage services on the basis of the amount of water they use, and the amount of wastewater and trade effluent they discard.
You’ll be charged either:
- for the water you use, plus a set charge (if you’ve got a meter)
- a set amount, usually based on the rateable value of your property
Sewerage and Trade Effluent Costs
- foul sewage
- surface water drainage
- highway drainage
- trade effluent
Charges for foul sewage and trade effluent are based on the amount (and strength for trade effluent) discharged. Companies currently have different approaches to charging for surface water drainage and highway drainage.
If you can demonstrate that you do not receive any of these services apart from highway drainage you should be entitled to a reduction in charges.
You’ll be charged for any ‘foul sewerage’ (such as wastewater from a toilet or kitchen) and drainage from your property. The amount you pay is usually linked to how much water you use.
Trade Effluent
Is your business subject to Trade Effluent charges? These charges are only made to sites where water requires treatment before being discharged into the sewers. The charges are based on the type of effluent being discharged. For example. A launderette would pay more than a car wash or a swimming pool that back washes waste water.
Trade effluent charges
- fats, oils and grease
- chemicals
- food waste
The amount your water supplier will charge is usually based on the amount and strength of the effluent before it reaches the sewer.
Calculating charges for trade effluent
Charges are based on the Mogden formula.
Waste Water
Generally speaking, you are billed for the same amount of water you send out (waste water) in as you take in, although normally at a different rate. However, there are often circumstances when you will be using water onsite and not discharging it as part of your waste water.
Examples are drinks companies using water in their products, golf courses watering greens, horticultural companies watering plants. We also are aware of companies converting water into steam, using industrial processes, food processes, restaurants and many more.
If you think you are being charged incorrectly and are not currently obtaining credit for waste water discharge rebate you are due, then please contact us. But note, it is essential that a concise and comprehensive forensic report is compiled with corroborating evidence before approaching your supplier. Claiming refunds from water suppliers can often be an adversarial process with the burden of proof resting firmly on the shoulders of the applicant.
Surface Drainage
Surface drainage charges are based on several factors including the surface area of your premises, your frontage on public highways, and run-off from hard surfaces such as car parking areas.
We can evaluate your site to see if you are being overcharged or if there are possibilities to reduce the quantity of water entering public drains from your site.
Sites that discharge surface rainwater into the sea, rivers or lakes, or have soakaways can find they are not being given relief through their bills. With environmental concerns and water saving and recycling efforts increasing, it is prudent to ensure due recognition is being given to any reduction in discharge through mains drainage.
Once we have checked your surface water drainage arrangements, we may find
- We can eliminate charges for surface water drainage on future bills
- We can obtain a refund on past water bills
Action to reduce charges
We can also help you to reduce your charges by finding methods of reducing the amount of surface water on your site that drains into the public sewers.
Who is my business water supplier?
If your business is based in England or Scotland, you are able to switch your supplier. Businesses in Wales are restricted to users in excess of 50 megalitres or more a year.
Is my business eligible to switch water supplier?
ESOS only applies to energy you use within your organisation. If you are a landlord, or supply energy to a 3rd party, the portion of energy not consumed by you is not included.
How long does it take to switch business water suppliers?
Once you’ve selected the company and tariff that suits your business it takes approximately 28 days to move to a new supplier.
Does it cost to switch business water suppliers?
If you are not currently in contract there is no cost.
Will my water service be interrupted during the water switching process?
There will no supply interruptions during the transfer process.
My business water rates are too high?
Have you signed a business water contract? If so, check to make sure the agreed tariffs and standing charges are being applied. If they are still high, then you need to check your water usage. You could have a water leak, which, if left, could prove very costly.
If you are not in contract with a business water supplier, you should seek to compare prices as soon as possible. It is likely you are paying too much. If you believe you’ve not been charged in accordance with your water supplier’s terms, but can’t get out of your contract or are seeking a refund, you should contact the Consumer Council for Water for advice.
I am moving business site premises. What do I need to do to get a new business water supplier?
Update your current water provider with your new details, and they’ll take care of the rest. If you would like to compare water rates for your new premises, get in touch.
Water supplier comparison rates.
Are you looking for a new supplier?
We can compare prices from a range of Business Water Suppliers
Water efficiency - Save Water & Money
Business Water is expensive, but there are lots of things that can be done to help save water and increase water efficiency such as these simple good housekeeping measures:
- Check your Water Bills for errors
- Fix Leaking taps
- Check for Faulty cisterns
- Check for Leaks on site
- Avoid Taps left running
- Check for Unnecessary flushing urinals
- Change Inefficient showers
- Upgrade Outdated equipment
Do you need a New Water Connection or help with your utilities for your business premises?
Touchstone can take care of all your utility requirements and provide you with a full suite of energy services.
Get a Business Water Smart Meter Installed
Do away with estimated bills. A new Water Smart Meter provides regular correct readings and ensures you’re not overcharged.